April 2024 Wildlife Photography Contest Advanced Winner
Theme: Birds In Flight
“Blur and Freeze in One Frame” by Gady Shmila
I captured this striking image in the yard of a friend’s house in the Sharon region of Israel. This photograph uniquely combines both motion blur and a frozen moment in a single frame. The blur effect was achieved with a slow shutter speed of 1/8 second, while the flash, fired at the end of the exposure, captured the sharp details of the Hoopoe in flight.
After carefully studying the Hoopoe’s flight path, I placed a black cloth as a backdrop, which accentuated the blurred motion—a detail that would have been difficult to see otherwise. Achieving the perfect balance between blur and freeze took considerable effort and experimentation. I spent hours in the yard, throwing a tennis ball and photographing it to find the optimal speed for this effect.
The result is a mesmerizing blend of dynamic motion and crisp clarity, showcasing the beauty and complexity of wildlife photography.
Winning Wildlife Photographer:
Gady Shmila
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